Short-Term Travel Program
Surrounded by several mountain ranges in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is known for its picturesque views, ancient temples, and cool weather.
Along with governmental initiatives for economic reform, Chiang Mai has seen a massive upswing in locally-led, socially-innovative projects in pursuit of equitable and sustainable development. This makes it a great place to explore sustainable development and business in the heart of Northern Thailand.
At Insight, our program itineraries are as unique as your students. All our program itineraries are customized with teacher chaperones to ensure that it meets the needs of your students.
With the support of a variety of local vendors and NGO’s, we promise that your students will get an authentic, local experience.
We make it simple. No hidden fees or itinerary exclusions.
12-15 Students
$4800 USD*
16-20 Students
$4600 USD*
21-24 Students
$4400 USD*
* Prices are estimated per student for a 10-day program.
Our prices include:
Explore a makers village. Hear from a maker about how local art skills are passed down.
Learn about the Asian elephant and the issues surrounding its preservation in Thailand. Join the elephants’ caregivers for trekking and bathing with the elephants.
Participate in a skills-sharing workshop with hilltribe women. Learn to mold clay into birds, paint already fired pieces, or weave in traditional ways.
Learn about sustainability from changemakers leading projects in their communities. Visit social enterprises leading the way to sustainable development in Chiang Mai.
Engage with the local community in a meaningful way. Partake in an almsgiving ceremony near the shrine for Chiang Mai’s most venerated monk, Kruba Srivichai.
Want to take your students outside the classroom? Review our program locations and suggested themes.
Connect with one of our High School Educators who will help custom design your program.
With our assistance, submit required paperwork and details to your Administration and School Board.
Announce the trip to your students! (We’ll provide all the materials you need).
Invite us to your school to host a Student & Parent Info Night! We will be there to answer questions and support student sign-up!
Welcome to Chiang Mai! Transfer by local songtaew to Wat Loi Kroh (temple) where your samlor drivers will be waiting to give you a tour of the Ping River, Ancient Lanna House, San Pakoy Market, Wat Ket Museum, and Kad Luang. Learn about the Chiang Mai on Three Wheels project that aims to preserve the samlor (bicycle taxi) as a means of transportation in Chiang Mai.
Then visit two of the most famous Buddhist temples, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
Head to Bo Sang (makers village) and learn about the Creative Cities Network’s efforts to preserve and promote arts and culture industries in Chiang Mai. Hear from a maker about how local art skills are passed down.
Travel to Ban Mae Sa Mai, the largest Hmong community in Northern Thailand, home to an Agricultural Royal Development Project initiated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Visit the research center for herb and vegetable production. Meet with Sowmee, the silversmith of the village, before embarking on a 2-hour trail walk led by a Hmong guide to visit the community’s vegetable fields. Enjoy a picnic lunch with views over the Mae Sa Valley before returning to the village to learn more about Hmong culture and visit the nursery to learn about the village’s collaboration with Chiang Mai University on a forest restoration project. |
On the way to Chiang Rai, stop to admire Wat Rong Khun (White Temple).
Welcome to Chiang Rai! Take a guided walking tour to get to know Thailand’s northernmost city, bordering Myanmar to the north and Laos to the east.
Learn about how a honey producer creates jobs for people in the community and works to preserve local wisdom.
Then, meet the local hill tribe women who lead the eBannok Handicrafts Project. Participate in a skills-sharing workshop with the women; learn to mold clay into birds, paint already fired pieces, or weave in traditional ways.
Head to Doi Chang, Northern Thailand’s coffee village, on the way back to Chiang Mai. Enjoy lunch in the village and visit coffee farms to learn about the hill tribes in this region who historically grew opium until a Royal Development Project introduced coffee beans. At first, farmers were susceptible to middle men who set unfair prices. But in 2002, the village prioritized sustainable development by establishing Doi Chaang Coffee Original Co to assist coffee growers in getting fair prices, developing their own brand, and promoting collaboration for improved quality.
Visit social enterprises in Chiang Mai. Learn how they’re contributing to the city’s sustainable development.
Then, take a cooking class!
Learn about the Asian elephant and the issues surrounding its preservation in Thailand at an elephant foundation. Enjoy lunch on site before changing into provided trousers and shirts and join the elephants’ caregivers for trekking and bathing with the elephants.
Visit Doi Suthep and the mountain-top temples of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat. Partake in an almsgiving ceremony near the shrine for Chiang Mai’s most venerated monk, Kruba Srivichai, whose followers constructed the road to the temple in 1935.
Walk a short stretch of the famous Monk’s Trail.
Exploring Chiang Mai’s famous night market before starting your journey home the next day.